Public Papers
The Public Papers of Harry S. Truman contain most of President Truman's public messages, statements, speeches, and news conference remarks. Documents such as Proclamations, Executive Orders, and similar documents that are published in the Federal Register and the Code of Federal Regulations, as required by law, are usually not included. The documents within the Public Papers are arranged in chronological order. President Truman delivered the remarks or addresses from Washington, D. C., unless otherwise indicated. The White House in Washington issued statements, messages, and letters unless noted otherwise. (Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States, Harry S. Truman, 1945-1953. Washington, D.C.: United States Government Printing Office, 1966)
The Public Papers contain items such as the Statement by the President Announcing the Use of the A-Bomb at Hiroshima (August 6, 1945), the Special Message to the Congress on Greece and Turkey: The Truman Doctrine (March 12, 1947), the White House Statement Announcing Recognition of the Government of Israel (January 31, 1949), the Statement and Order by the President on Relieving General MacArthur of His Commands (April 11, 1951), and The President's Farewell Address to the American People (January 15, 1953).
May 3, 1950
I HAVE asked that you come together today for a singularly important purpose. There is an urgent need to bring to bear on the problem of air pollution all the scientific knowledge at the command of industry, government, and scientific…
August 14, 1945
THE WAR DEPARTMENT has recommended, and I have approved, a request to the Director of Selective Service to reduce inductions immediately from 80,000 to 50,000 per month. This figure will provide only sufficient men to support the forces…
May 3, 1946
My dear Mr. Secretary:
In keeping with the Administration's policy of winding up the affairs of war agencies as quickly as possible after their emergency responsibilities have been discharged, I have acted upon your…
May 14, 1948
Mr. President of the Young Democrats, Mr. Chairman of the National Democratic Committee, distinguished guests, and Young Democrats:
It is a very great privilege for me to be here this evening, and it is a double pleasure to…
April 18, 1952
Mr. Commander, Secretary of Defense, distinguished guests:
I could name everybody up here. They should be named, but then I wouldn't get my speech in if I did.
I am glad to take part in the dedication of this new…
May 10, 1951
THE PRESIDENT. Good morning everybody. Please be seated.
I don't have any announcements for you this morning, but I will try to answer questions if I can.
[1.] Q. Mr. President, the Veterans Administration tells me that they…
May 26, 1947
[Released May 26, 1947. Dated May 23, 1947]
To the Congress of the United States:
I submit herewith for the consideration of the Congress a bill to be entitled "The Inter-American Military Cooperation Act" authorizing a…
May 27, 1947
To the Congress of the United States:
I am transmitting herewith Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1947, prepared in accordance with the Reorganization Act of 1945. This Plan deals solely with housing. It simplifies, and increases…
May 6, 1946
To the Congress of the United States:
I submit herewith for the consideration of the Congress a bill to be entitled "The Inter-American Military Cooperation Act" authorizing a program of military collaboration with other…
April 19, 1952
My dear Mr. Chairman:
I am writing to urge that your committee act favorably at an early date on legislation approving the 1941 Agreement between the United States and Canada, and authorizing the United States to join with…
May 3, 1950
Mr. Prime Minister, Begum Sahiba:
With a deep sense of the historical import of this occasion, and with the greatest personal pleasure, I am happy to welcome you both to the United States. Mrs. Truman and I, and the Americans throughout our…
May 10, 1951
Dear Mr.____________:
Attached is a draft of legislation which would extend certain benefits to persons who shall have served in the Armed Forces on or after June 27, 1950.
I believe the desirability of such legislation will…
August 14, 1945
ONE OF THE hardest working groups of war workers during the past four years--and perhaps the least appreciated by the public--has been the Federal employes in Washington and throughout the country. They have carried on the day-to-day…
May 15, 1948
To the Senate:
I return herewith, without my approval, the enrolled bill (S. 1004) entitled "An Act To Amend the Atomic Energy Act of 1946 so as to grant specific authority to the Senate members of the Joint Committee on…
May 18, 1949
Mr. President:
I am delighted to welcome you to the United States as the guest of the people of this Nation. I personally am happy to be able to renew our acquaintanceship, and to reciprocate the generous hospitality which you…
May 11, 1951
[ Released May 11, 1951 Dated May 10, 1951 ]
Dear Dr. Johnson:
I have read with interest the resolution adopted by the Board of Foreign Scholarships on April 7, 1951, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank the members of the…
May 18, 1949
I AM going to vary the usual procedure a little bit tonight.
I am going to ask the Vice President of the United States, in his capacity as President of the Senate, to say a word of welcome to the head of our great sister state…
May 4, 1950
I ASKED Judge Kee and Secretary Acheson to meet with me this morning in order that I might canvass in a general way the overall situation on foreign policy legislation and at the same time express to Chairman Kee my appreciation for the…
May 7, 1946
CITATION FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE MEDAL
MAJOR GENERAL Philip B. Fleming rendered outstanding service to the government from December 1941 to January 1946 as Federal Works Administrator. Under his energetic direction, a tremendous…
May 17, 1948
Dear Mr. Secretary:
The Atomic Energy Commission has reported to me on the results of the tests of atomic weapons at the Commission's Eniwetok Proving Ground. The Chairman and members of the Commission join me in…
May 30, 1947
BELIEVING that the period for which recognition should be given for wartime services considered adequate for the conferring of the Medal for Merit should conform insofar as possible with that for military decorations, I have signed an…
August 15, 1945
I EXTEND to all my fellow Americans of Jewish faith my hearty congratulations and best wishes for New Year's Day.
The enemies of civilization who would have destroyed completely all freedom of religion have been defeated. All faiths…
April 21, 1952
My dear Mr. President:
The Senate has before it certain proposed amendments to the Third Supplemental Appropriation Bill for the current fiscal year which would restrict the use of appropriated funds for the operation of…
May 19, 1949
Dear Mr. Firestone:
I very much appreciate your report on the organization of the new peacetime USO. As I told you in our conference today, it will have the complete backing of the Government. It is good to know that the six…
April 22, 1952
To the Congress of the United States:
I am transmitting to the Congress for approval the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, adopted by the people of Puerto Rico on March 3, 1952.
The Constitution has been…